A/HRC/29/45
37.
Discussions also centred on the inclusion of a reference to foreign occupation and
alien subjugation, domination and exploitation, and a specific mention of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.6 Some participants felt
that the absence of such references in a draft declaration on the right to peace was
inconceivable.
38.
It was also proposed to include a reference to the 2005 World Summit Outcome 7 and
the post-2015 development agenda. Some delegations were of the view that the declaration
should be kept short and concise, and generally did not favour additional inclusions,
although they agreed with the reference to the World Summit Outcome and the post-2015
development agenda. Regarding the proposal to also add a general reference to “the
relevant instruments mentioning or in relation to peace or the right to peace”, a preference
was voiced for citing specific instruments rather than referring to instruments in a general
manner.
39.
A suggestion to include a reference to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court, as amended, was also debated, with several delegations raising concerns over the
fact that the amendments regarding the crime of aggression (2010) had not yet come into
force. Alternatively, a reference to aggression or acts of aggression was proposed.
40.
The insertion in the revised text of a paragraph on the issue of terrorism as a threat to
peace was welcomed by a number of delegations. It was suggested that explicit mention be
made to the threat that it posed to the territorial integrity and security of States in line with
the wording of the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism. 8 It was
also felt that the unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terrorism, including the provision
of support for terrorist groups, as criminal and unjustifiable needed to be emphasized. A
reservation was expressed at the proposal to condemn also the payment of ransom in this
connection.
41.
Alternatively, it was proposed that more focus should be place on the measures used
in the fight against terrorism and that the need for them to be in compliance with the
obligations of States under international law be stressed. Some delegations felt that the
recognition of the importance of moderation and tolerance as a value within societies for
countering extremism in all its aspects should also be reflected in the text.
42.
As a compromise and a means to avoid focusing disproportionately on the issue of
terrorism in the draft declaration, a suggestion was made to merge the original text with the
proposals made. In this connection, caution was expressed at merging the issues of
terrorism and extremism, given that extremism was a different and broader concept.
43.
Several delegations felt that it was important to reaffirm the duty of States to
cooperate, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, in order to, inter alia,
maintain international peace and security. It was therefore suggested that wording from the
Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations 9 be included.
There was broad support for the proposal, although a concern was expressed that such a
reference would be too broad.
44.
Recognizing that peace was not only the absence of conflict, requirements for it
were discussed. In this regard, some delegations were of the view that the link between
6
7
8
9
General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV).
General Assembly resolution 60/1.
General Assembly resolution 49/60, annex.
General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.
9
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